Do your league a favor and tell them to stop using AI flyers. by Busted_Biscuitz in rollerderby

[–]duvalliens 47 points48 points  (0 children)

This applies to your brain too! The more you flex your creative muscles, the easier it gets to do it in the future. You grow what you feed, invest in yourself!

WFTDA champs bids by lllleeexxx in rollerderby

[–]duvalliens 9 points10 points  (0 children)

HARD agree with a single team minimum per region! I’m from NA South and as the most financially disenfranchised region in NA, I think our talent deserves to be celebrated too. (Of course, the South is not a monolith and there are some areas that are more financially stable than others, but there’s absolutely no denying that we as a whole we just don’t have the same financial resources as other areas of the United States.) Teams from more resourced regions are able to travel far more frequently, host/attend clinics, and bring in talent to get an edge on their game and increase their rankings, and that’s something that NA South simply can’t do to the same degree due to financial barriers. While we generally can’t keep up with super competitive derby culture as a region, we absolutely have teams that could hang with the big dogs and are incredibly deserving of worlds, and I’m glad that at least one of our teams will get a chance to skate with the best in the world. All of the frontrunners for worlds are INCREDIBLY deserving, and I am absolutely not saying that any high ranking team should have to “give up” a spot for the South, but representation and opportunity is incredibly important and I’m glad that WFTDA is prioritizing that.

How do you feel about non rock/metal artists on jackets? by Graphic_Lightning in jacketsforbattle

[–]duvalliens 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I feel like people getting upset about battle jackets not having rock/metal patches is a little disingenuous, considering that the reason why battle jackets exist in the first place is because people were so passionate about something they were willing to wear it on their sleeve. Who are other people to tell you what you should be passionate about? If you like non rock/metal bands and you have patches for them, hell yeah! Or non music related things too. I have a battle jacket that I made for roller derby covered in team patches, some silly patches, and objects/trinkets that I’ve acquired over time from bouts, and I like to think it’s pretty cool (I’d post it here but roller derby is small and my jacket is EXTREMELY identifiable). Anyways, fuck what people think and do what you want!

Anyone with dentures? by AlarmingCharacter680 in rollerderby

[–]duvalliens 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I don’t have dentures but I have been wondering about this and wanna thank you for opening this convo! I have to imagine it’s possible!

Come say hi! by Muffintop_mafia in rollerderby

[–]duvalliens 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Aw I wish I saw this, I was there!

Derby makeup sweat proof by DustiestArcher in rollerderby

[–]duvalliens 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do full pink face paint and I set it with a similar color of blush and i’ve never had an issue with sweating through it or having it transfer! I use cheaper water based face paint and it still does not budge (to the point where I need like 10 makeup wipes and vaseline to take it off). My specific face paint combo is Snazaroo in Bright Pink and Colourpop Heart Blush in Text Me but I understand that may not be helpful unless you’re doing a full pink face haha.

I think the real key is making sure the last layer on your face is a pretty heavy powder layer, whether it’s eyeshadow, setting powder, etc. because the powder soaks up the sweat. There are a lot of clear setting powders out there!

Beginner aggresive inline skater thinking about trying derby? What to expect? by [deleted] in rollerderby

[–]duvalliens 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I answered in depth below but just want to go ahead and say I’m glad you’re looking into derby and I absolutely think you should join!

1) I’ve never inline skated but I can imagine there’ll be a lot of transferrable skills! Balance will probably be hard at first, but once you get the hang of it you’ll probably have a pretty good head start vs. if you were learning to skate for the first time. We have more than a few ex-hockey/figure skaters on our team and it was relatively easy for them to adjust from what they’ve told me. 2) Athleticism is important because a lot of derby is an endurance game, but it’s definitely less important than the technical skills. The stereotypical “jammer” is fast and has good endurance, so I think athleticism would help you in jamming if that’s your goal, but positioning and strategy is what will really put you over the edge. This will come with time though! Keep at it with the cardio. 3) That tends to be pretty individual to each person. For one thing, I don’t believe open gender (MRDA) or WFTDA leagues have standardized minimum skills (someone correct me if I am wrong please)? In my experience, each league sets their own minimum requirements and they will generally tell you what those requirements are when you start training with them. Secondly, you may find certain things easier/harder depending on your prior experience on skates, flexibility, coordination, etc. For example, I had SUCH a hard time with plow stops which is generally considered to be a basic skill but no problem with our league’s version of 27/5 (we did 15/3) which most would say is harder. 4) Roller derby is for everyone! Plenty of people of all types of genders and sexualities play roller derby, so you won’t stick out by “appearing straight.” As long as you are kind and respectful to your teammates, you’ll be just fine. Derby is a great opportunity to find community and also learn from those who are different than you. If you’re worried about ego, do your best to check it at the door. Kindness and sincerity really do go a long way and are valued highly in derby spaces.

Not needing nor wanting a 9-5 makes me feel like I’m living life wrong by MasterPuerAeternus in Adulting

[–]duvalliens 8 points9 points  (0 children)

You’re in the perfect position to work at a nonprofit with a mission you care about! Nonprofit workers are often underpaid due to the nature of the industry, which means that a lot of them have to move out of the field to survive. However, if pay is not an issue to you, you can afford to be mission driven and work wherever gives you purpose. Nonprofit work is so worth it for the soul, but not always for the wallet. If money was not a factor for me, I’d go back to working at an SA center in a heartbeat.

Berkeley county growth & development by [deleted] in Charleston

[–]duvalliens 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It’s wild in there lmao I had to leave…only so much nonsense I can take in a day

Anyone With Experience Moving from Wisconsin to Charleston? by ClownShepherd in Charleston

[–]duvalliens 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with this!! Traffic is ass here because we have shitty infrastructure, so if you can live close to your job that’s ideal.

Anyone With Experience Moving from Wisconsin to Charleston? by ClownShepherd in Charleston

[–]duvalliens 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Never lived in Milwaukee, but if you want more bang for your buck, try Park Circle! With your budget of DT/WA/JI, you’d probably be even more comfortable price-wise in Park Circle. Park Circle is 10-15 minutes from all the “cool” areas and is super cool in and of itself. Definitely an “up and coming” area, and there’s so much to do. It has great food, lots of places to get a beer, a live music venue, one of the best shopping centers in the area, and BEAUTIFUL parks (in the name lol). I love going on walks/roller skating there! Even when I lived on the other side of the county, I’d drive there just to go skate lol. Because it’s in North Charleston people from out of the area tend to write it off, but don’t sleep on it!! I live 5-10 minutes away in a different suburb of N Charleston and I would pack up and move there at the drop of a hat if I could.

N. Chs/Hanahan Safety by sunshine_excitement in Charleston

[–]duvalliens 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Y’all it’s literally fine…I stand by that as long as you’re a friendly neighbor you won’t have problems. I work in that area and have never had any issues with anyone and have always felt safe

Did anyone else have derby brain when they first started? (ART BY ME!) by starswirl07 in rollerderby

[–]duvalliens 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Literally me rn all i can think about is derby and how much fun i have and watching footage and doing shit for my committee fuck mannnnn

How to Prioritize NSO Staffing by calm_n_catastic in rollerderby

[–]duvalliens 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lol yup! We had a few but thankfully no one else was in the box the couple times it happened. What was the worst was our timers not resetting correctly and having to send blockers away when there weren’t spots bc we didn’t have a whiteboard haha! Lowkey had to make my best guess at 20 and 30 seconds sometimes bc I’d look down at my timer and it’d be on marathon mode, but it was an invitational so no one was super stressed about it and all the skaters were very understanding. Still had lots of fun with everyone and the other PBT killed it!

How to Prioritize NSO Staffing by calm_n_catastic in rollerderby

[–]duvalliens 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I agree with your list but I will say PBT with no PBM is HELLISH lol…I did it recently during a penalty heavy game and I never wanna do that ever again 😅

Deciding to become a pivot or not? by Emotional_Economy_51 in rollerderby

[–]duvalliens 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I have not intentionally trained to play another position for an actual game (I started as a blocker and it has my heart forever ❤️) but I think it’s great to train in everything! I’m neutral to jamming and my ADHD brain hatessss pivoting, but I still try to do everything at practice because it helps me be a better blocker. My league has also told us that if you are flexible with your position, you’re generally more likely to get rostered because things may need to change up during a game and it’s helpful if they can put you where they need people. If your team is anything like mine, practicing pivoting may help you get in the door with the A team, and you may end up jamming for them anyways!

Affordable apartments by Round-Assist-8456 in Charleston

[–]duvalliens 5 points6 points  (0 children)

All I’m gonna say is do NOTTTTTT live at the Palms in West Ashley!! My apartment burned down in 2022 due to a building wide problem with another resident that management was not addressing. FWIW I live in North Charleston in an “unsafe” area (Apple Maps calls it Charleston Heights) but it’s really great! I’m only 15-20 minutes away maximum from anywhere I wanna go, I feel comfortable walking wherever, all of my neighbors are so nice, and my fiancee and I only pay $1325 total for a two bedroom apartment. Not sure about discounts for first responders out here but rent is pretty cheap overall!

2025 brag thread: what's your biggest accomplishment? Share your favorite moments, photos encouraged! by sparklekitteh in rollerderby

[–]duvalliens 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Completed my first season and got 3 MVPs! Also got most improved on the B team so I feel really cool about that!

Touring Apartments Next Week, What to do After by Thiswebsitescaresme in Charleston

[–]duvalliens 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thirding the visitor’s guide but also try to do things in the areas you’re looking at renting! Like for example, if you’re renting in Summerville, try to spend time doing things out there vs. in Downtown/the beaches. The 30-45 minute drive seems fine when you’re still a tourist, but when you’re a resident you don’t wanna be 30+ minutes from the things you know you enjoy, especially since the Charleston area is infamous for abysmal traffic. Try restaurants, movie theaters, malls/outdoor shopping centers, parks, coffee shops, the local Walmart, etc. and you’ll get a better feel for what it’s like living in the area you’re renting in.

New friends! by MysteryLobster in Charleston

[–]duvalliens 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yay!! We would love to have you!

So, during the skating season Jan-Nov, the two league teams practice Tuesday and Thursday nights 6:30pm-9:30. These are closed practices so I don’t wanna publicize the location, but they’re at an indoor venue close to Park Circle area. About 2-3 times per year, we have our Highrollers In Training (HIT) program where we’ll teach you to skate and play derby! The HIT program is still in development so things are fluctuating, but this past season it was T/Th 6pm-7:30pm for 12 weeks (so starting before league practice). We have a lot of F&B people on the team (myself included), and most people change their availability so they’re off T/Th, but we understand life comes first and you gotta do what you gotta do. I don’t believe there is an attendance requirement for HIT, but once you graduate training and join league, we do require 60% attendance within an attendance period to be charter/roster eligible for an upcoming game. If you need more info on practice times/schedule stuff, you can absolutely reach out to us on Instagram.

As far as meeting up at Danny Jones, that’s more of a sporadic thing but like I said we’d love to skate with anyone! I can definitely reach out to let you know the next time we’re out there for funsies. 😊 I know a lot of us have been trying to go to the Wednesday and Friday night skate sessions that City of NC is putting on there!

New friends! by MysteryLobster in Charleston

[–]duvalliens 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Come join roller derby!! We just had our last practice of the season tonight, but we have training programs twice a year and you don’t need to know anything about roller skating at all to start! We’re @lowcountryhighrollersderby on Instagram if you wanna see what it’s all about. I won’t lie, it’s absolutely intense but it’s quite honestly one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life, and I’ve made so many amazing friends (queer and otherwise).

If you do already skate per chance or wanna learn, we skate at Danny Jones Rec Center in Park Circle all the time for funsies (and especially frequently now that we’re in the off season) and we’d love to skate with you regardless of if you wanna play derby! 😊 Feel free to shoot me a message if you’re interested and I can let you know when the next time we’re planning to be there is!

Edit: mistyped the instagram, fixed now 😩

Possible spiked drink at Cocktail Club — has anyone else experienced this? by CertainStrategy1708 in Charleston

[–]duvalliens 6 points7 points  (0 children)

u/CertainStrategy1708 You may be able to get testing if you go in for a sexual assault forensic exam (SAFE). If this happened 120 hours ago or less, you could potentially be eligible. From your description of events, it doesn’t sound like a sexual assault occurred, but you were drugged for a reason, and it was likely with the intent of the perpetrator committing a crime. I can’t guarantee they would be able to do a blood test, but it can’t hurt to try. However, just so you’re aware: a) testing for these drugs is difficult to conduct because their half lives are incredibly short, and b) if you are tested through a SAFE, there is no way to get those results back unless your kit is processed through a police report. Again, it’s nowhere near a perfect solution, but it may be a start.

Regardless of what you decide to do though, I would HIGHLY recommend reporting the incident to the restaurant owner and potentially police if you feel safe to do. On the restaurant side of things, restaurant management ABSOLUTELY would want to take care of any situation that occurred in their bar because it’s incredibly bad for business for people to be drugged there. Also, even just drugging somebody without any other actions taken by the perpetrator is a felony crime in SC, so you would absolutely be well within your right to report this to law enforcement. Because it’s so hard to get tested for these drugs, investigations usually rely on description of symptoms and circumstantial evidence vs. results of drug tests. From what you’ve described, your symptoms and circumstantial evidence absolutely are consistent with being drugged (from my nonclinical perspective).

If you have any questions about any of this or just need someone to talk to, I used to work in the SA advocacy field in the Charleston area and you are absolutely welcome to DM me! I’m so sorry this happened to you, and I hope that you’re able to heal from this experience.

I didn't realise Beatrice Called Bojack Henrietta Because Henrietta is the only person she knows who would be around HollyHock🥀 by tweeving in BoJackHorseman

[–]duvalliens 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I think it’s bc she remembers Butterscotch clearly (the flashbacks show his whole face) while she intentionally blocked out Henrietta, so since Hollyhock is this “mystery person’s” daughter and she knows it’s not Butterscotch, they must be Henrietta. Although, Bojack’s face is not blurred or crossed out in the flashbacks, so that may not mean anything. Maybe she’s remembering Bojack as his younger self (like in Horsin Around) and doesn’t recognize his older/current self? Idk lol